Thai PM engaged with overseas trips

BANGKOK, September 27 (TNA) - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced Thai Prime Minister and Defence Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's scheduled overseas trips late this year, beginning with her plan to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit 2013 and related forums on Indonesia's Bali Island from October 6-8. Chutinatorn Kongsak, Director-General of the ministry's Department of International Economic Affairs, told journalists on Friday that Premier Yingluck will raise Thailand’s leading roles in water management, agricultural areas and food security at the upcomimg APEC Summit 2013, during which Indonesia, as the host, will emphasize on attempts to conclude more regional free trade agreements (FTAs) and connectivity, the latter of which reflects the importance of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) embeded in the growing APEC grouping. Chutinatorn acknowledged that a long-term blueprint and "Multi-Year Plan" on regional connectivity until 2030 will also be worked out at the APEC Summit 2013. According to the senior official, the Thai prime minister is also scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and newly-elected Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott, as well as regional business leaders, namely those from the United States, on the sidelines of the upcoming APEC Summit and related forums to futher promote their trade and investment ties and cooperation. After attending the APEC Summit 2013, the Thai prime minister is scheduled to attend the ASEAN Summit 2013 in Brunei Darussalam in October, followed by her official visits to Ethiopia from November 10-12, South Africa in early December, Russia from December 8-10 and Japan from December 14-15 to attend the Mekong-Japan and ASEAN-Japan Summits. (TNA)